Forces Children Scotland 5 hours ago
Angus Council has today signalled its commitment to the Armed Forces community by becoming the first local authority in Tayside to adopt the Forces Children’s Rights Charter.
The Forces Children’s Rights Charter is a rights-based framework founded on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). It was created by Forces Children Scotland in partnership with children and young people from Armed Forces families. It sets out what children from military families believe they need in order to have their rights respected, protected and supported.
A motion calling on the council to endorse the charter was put forward to today’s full council meeting by Cllr Ronnie Proctor, who serves as the local authority’s Armed Forces and Veterans Champion. Cllr Proctor himself was in the Armed Forces and served for decades in the Black Watch, rising to the rank of Major.
In bringing forward the motion, he recalled the experiences of his children growing up in an Armed Forces family and the challenges they experienced navigating between countries and education systems.
Commenting, Cllr Ronnie Proctor said:
“As someone whose children grew up in a military family, I have seen first-hand the unique challenges that Forces children can face. My sons attended five different schools before settling at Queen Victoria School, while my daughter had attended three primary schools by the age of ten before returning from Germany and having to adapt to a new school and a different curriculum.
“Like many Forces children, she experienced difficulties in adapting to the new curriculum and was treated differently because of her background. Thankfully, with the support of her head teacher, she was able to thrive, going on to achieve great things. However, not every child is fortunate enough to receive that level of understanding and support.
“Had the Forces Children’s Rights Charter existed then, my children and many others like them may have experienced a smoother and more supportive journey through education. That is why I am delighted to support its adoption.
“Today, there are children in Angus whose parents serve at RM Condor in Arbroath, alongside many others whose parents serve in the Regular and Reserve Forces. The charter recognises their experiences and helps ensure their rights, wellbeing and educational needs are properly understood and supported. I am confident it will make a positive difference for Forces children and young people across Angus, both now and in the future.”
Commenting, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Forces Children Scotland, Meg Thomas, said:
“We at Forces Children Scotland are delighted that Angus Council has today taken the step to endorse the Forces Children’s Rights Charter and demonstrated its commitment to recognising and supporting the unique experiences of children and young people from Armed Forces families.
“I hope the words of Cllr Ronnie Proctor and the lived experience of his Forces children reach the ears of every policymaker in Scotland. We hear constantly from mobile Forces children and young people that one of the hardest obstacles they face is the transition between different schools, and often curriculums.
“Angus are already leading the way with their support for Forces children and young people who don’t live near a base. These children and young people face different challenges such as more frequent separations from their serving parent but they are often one of only a few Forces children in their school. Angus’ Armed Forces Support Team, work hard to identify and support all Forces children in Angus wherever they are.
“By adopting the charter, Angus Council is sending a strong message that the voices of Forces children and young people matter. We look forward to working with the council, schools and partners across Angus build on their great work to turn the charter’s principles into meaningful action and ensure that every Forces child has the opportunity to thrive.”
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